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Mild, creamy, and incredibly versatile, Great Northern beans are a pantry staple that can elevate everything from soups to salads. Learning how to cook great northern beans on the stove will give you a simple way to enjoy these beans in your favorite recipes. Let's get cooking!
Jump to:
- Benefits of Cooking Great Northern Beans from Scratch
- How to Prepare Dried Great Northern Beans for Cooking
- How Many Beans Should I Make?
- How To Make Great Northern Beans on the Stove
- Important Tip!
- Seasoning Variations
- Storing Cooked Great Northern Beans
- Recipe Ideas
- Nutrition
- More Great Northern Beans
- Learn More About Cooking with Dried Beans
- Conclusion
- Recipe
- Reviews
Benefits of Cooking Great Northern Beans from Scratch
I know that opening a can of beans is so much easier and faster than cooking them from scratch, but they are just so much more delicious when homemade!
Additionally, when you prepare them at home, you have total control over all the ingredients, so you can keep the sodium low and avoid additives.
If you'd like to read more about the benefits of fresh beans over canned beans, check out my article, "Canned Beans vs Dried Beans: Which is Better?"
How to Prepare Dried Great Northern Beans for Cooking
Before cooking great northern beans on the stove, proper preparation is essential.
To Soak or Not to Soak
One of the most common questions about making raw beans from scratch is whether or not they need to be soaked before cooking. Soaking great northern beans before cooking them on the stove improves their overall texture.
They also cook faster, and more evenly. They are also less prone to splitting open in the cooking process.
My favorite way to soak beans is to use the "quick soak method." Instructions for this are provided in the recipe card. But you can also do an overnight soak. Find instructions on how to do this long soak method here.
While there are many benefits to pre-soaking your beans, don't worry, it's not a deal-breaker if you don't have time, or simply forget to do it.
(I NEVER remember to start soaking things in advance). Your homemade great northern beans will still be delicious and much better than canned ones.
I have a whole series of posts answering all your dried bean questions. You can find out all about soaking, salting, and various cooking methods. Check out "The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Dry Beans" to learn way too much about preparing the perfect dried beans.
How Many Beans Should I Make?
- 1 pound of dried Great Northern beans yields about 6 cups of cooked beans.
- 1 cup of dried beans makes approximately 3 cups of cooked beans.
- A 15-ounce can of beans equals about 1.5 cups of cooked beans.
How To Make Great Northern Beans on the Stove
Step 1
Rinse the desired amount of dry Great Northern beans under cold water and place in a large pot. Cover the beans with 2 inches of water.
Step 2
Bring the contents to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 30 minutes. This step is "quick soaking" the beans. (See the section above to read about soaking vs. not soaking dried beans.)
Step 3
After an hour, drain the beans from the water they've been soaking in and cover them with fresh water. Stir in 1½ teaspoon of kosher salt and bring the uncovered contents of the pot back to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce heat and let simmer for about 1 hour until the great northern beans are tender and creamy. Stir occasionally. Check the water level about every 30 minutes and add more as necessary (see important tip below). Excess water can be drained at the end of cooking if needed.
Step 4
Drain any remaining water and enjoy!
Important Tip!
This is not a "set and forget" method! You must check on your pot of beans occasionally as they cook.
As the water continues to simmer, some will evaporate, and the beans will absorb some of it. Once all the water is gone, the beans will start burning onto the bottom of the pot.
REMOVING BURNED BEANS OFF THE BOTTOM OF A POT IS THE WORST! I speak from experience.
Also, it makes your house smell like burning farts.
You'll want to test the beans as the water gets low to avoid this. Add more water to the pot if they haven't yet reached your desired texture.
You can always drain it out later when they are done. I usually need to add more water to cooking beans about every 45 minutes.
Seasoning Variations
I kept this recipe simple and unseasoned so you can easily customize your great northern beans to suit any dish.
If you'd like to have more flavor in your beans, here are some seasoning ideas:
- Use broth instead of water.
- Add fresh or dried herbs to the pot of beans while they are simmering. Bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary are all great choices.
- After soaking the dried great northern beans, sauté celery, garlic, and onions in the pot to build a flavorful base.
- Ham hocks, bacon, and sausage add a rich, hearty flavor. Sauté them in the pot after soaking the beans but before cooking to enhance their flavor.
Storing Cooked Great Northern Beans
Refrigerator
Store extra beans in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Freezer
Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. For a complete instruction guide on freezing cooked beans so they don't get freezer-burnt or end up mushy, check out "You Can Freeze Beans!"
Recipe Ideas
Great Northern beans are such a versatile ingredient and can be used in soups, salads, casseroles and more. Here are some of my favorite recipes from around the web:
- Great Northern Beans Soup with Barley
- White Bean Salad with Feta
- Tomato and White Bean Casserole
- Homemade White Bean Burger
Nutrition
Great Northern beans are a nutritious powerhouse packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. They are low in fat and a great source of iron, potassium, and B vitamins, which support heart health and energy production. Their high fiber content aids digestion and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, making them a healthy addition to any meal.
More Great Northern Beans
Learn More About Cooking with Dried Beans
Conclusion
I hope this guide was helpful to you! How do you plan on using your homemade Great Northern beans? Let me know in the comments!
✌️Ems
Recipe
Stove Top Great Northern Beans
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried Great Northern Beans
- water
Instructions
- Rinse the Great Northern beans under cold water and place in a large pot. Cover the beans with 2 inches of water.
- Bring the contents to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 30 minutes. (This step is "quick soaking" the beans. See the section above for more info on soaking vs not soaking dried beans).
- After 30 minutes, drain the beans from the water they've been soaking in and cover them with fresh water. Stir in 1½ teaspoon of kosher salt and bring the uncovered contents of the pot back to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat and let simmer for about 1 hour until the great northern beans are tender and creamy. Check the water level about every 30 minutes and add more as necessary (see important tip below).
- Once beans have reached desired consistency, excess cooking water can be drained. Your beans are ready to be enjoyed!
Anne
They were great
Randall
They were great. Easy recipe. Thanks